This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-36136608
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Justin Trudeau outrage at 'cold-blooded murder' of hostage | Justin Trudeau outrage at 'cold-blooded murder' of hostage |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has condemned the killing of a Canadian hostage kidnapped by Islamist militants in the Philippines. | The Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has condemned the killing of a Canadian hostage kidnapped by Islamist militants in the Philippines. |
John Ridsdel, 68, was taken from a tourist resort with three others by the Abu Sayyaf group in September 2015. | John Ridsdel, 68, was taken from a tourist resort with three others by the Abu Sayyaf group in September 2015. |
In November, the Islamist militants released a video showing Mr Ridsdel and three other captives, and demanded a ransom of $80m (£55m). | In November, the Islamist militants released a video showing Mr Ridsdel and three other captives, and demanded a ransom of $80m (£55m). |
Mr Trudeau called his death "an act of cold-blooded murder". | Mr Trudeau called his death "an act of cold-blooded murder". |
On Monday, a severed head was found on remote Jolo, hours after the Abu Sayyaf ransom deadline expired. Local authorities said it belonged to a foreign man but have not confirmed whether it belonged to any of the captives. | On Monday, a severed head was found on remote Jolo, hours after the Abu Sayyaf ransom deadline expired. Local authorities said it belonged to a foreign man but have not confirmed whether it belonged to any of the captives. |
Mr Ridsdel was taken to Jolo after being kidnapped from a marina near the city of Davao, along with another Canadian, Robert Hall; a Norwegian, Kjartan Sekkingstad; and a Philippine woman, Mr Hall's girlfriend, Marites Flor. | Mr Ridsdel was taken to Jolo after being kidnapped from a marina near the city of Davao, along with another Canadian, Robert Hall; a Norwegian, Kjartan Sekkingstad; and a Philippine woman, Mr Hall's girlfriend, Marites Flor. |
Mr Ridsdel later warned in a video released by the group that he was due to be killed on 25 April if no ransom was paid. | Mr Ridsdel later warned in a video released by the group that he was due to be killed on 25 April if no ransom was paid. |
The Canadian government has a policy against paying ransoms, The Globe and Mail cited a government official as saying. | The Canadian government has a policy against paying ransoms, The Globe and Mail cited a government official as saying. |
What is Abu Sayyaf? | What is Abu Sayyaf? |
One of smallest but most radical of Islamic separatist groups in southern Philippines, its name means "bearer of the sword" in Arabic. | |
It split from the larger Moro National Liberation Front in 1991. Membership is said to number in the low hundreds. | |
What does it want? | |
The group has been agitating for the creation of an independent Islamic state in predominantly Catholic Philippines, and uses tactics such as hostage-taking and bombings to pressure the government. | |
Previously linked to al-Qaeda, its leaders recently pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State. | |
How dangerous is it? | |
Numerous Filipino and foreign civilians have been kidnapped in south Philippines and parts of neighbouring Malaysia over the decades, and used as hostages to extract ransoms. | |
Though some have been released after negotiations or attacks by Philippine forces, others have been murdered when demands were not met. | |
Abu Sayyaf has also claimed responsibility for bombings in cities in the south and a ferry bombing in 2004 in Manila Bay that killed more than 100 people, considered one of the worst terror attacks in the Philippines. | |
Islamic State threat in Southeast Asia | Islamic State threat in Southeast Asia |
Confirming the death of Mr Ridsdel, Mr Trudeau called it a "heinous act". | Confirming the death of Mr Ridsdel, Mr Trudeau called it a "heinous act". |
"Canada condemns without reservation the brutality of the hostage-takers, and this unnecessary death. This was an act of cold blooded murder and responsibility rests squarely with the terrorist group who took him hostage," he said in a statement. | "Canada condemns without reservation the brutality of the hostage-takers, and this unnecessary death. This was an act of cold blooded murder and responsibility rests squarely with the terrorist group who took him hostage," he said in a statement. |
Former mining executive | Former mining executive |
"It's hard," a friend of Mr Ridsdel, Bob Rae, told CBC News. "It's just very hard. I've been involved behind the scenes for the last six months trying to find a solution and it's been very painful." | "It's hard," a friend of Mr Ridsdel, Bob Rae, told CBC News. "It's just very hard. I've been involved behind the scenes for the last six months trying to find a solution and it's been very painful." |
A former mining executive, Mr Ridsdel is described by Canadian media as semi-retired. He also worked as a journalist. | A former mining executive, Mr Ridsdel is described by Canadian media as semi-retired. He also worked as a journalist. |
Abu Sayyaf was set up in the 1990s with funding from al-Qaeda, and is fighting for an independent Islamic province in the Philippines. | Abu Sayyaf was set up in the 1990s with funding from al-Qaeda, and is fighting for an independent Islamic province in the Philippines. |
One of its commanders recently pledged allegiance to militant group calling itself Islamic State. Abu Sayyaf is also holding several other foreigners. | One of its commanders recently pledged allegiance to militant group calling itself Islamic State. Abu Sayyaf is also holding several other foreigners. |
Eighteen Philippine soldiers were killed in clashes with the militants on Basilan island near Jolo island earlier this month. | Eighteen Philippine soldiers were killed in clashes with the militants on Basilan island near Jolo island earlier this month. |